Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about degenerative disc disease:

1. Could my back pain or leg pain be caused by degenerative disc disease?
   
   
2. What diagnostic tests might I need to undergo, and what do they involve? Who will explain my test results to me, and when?
   
   
3. What do my test results indicate?
   
   
4. How is degenerative disc disease causing my pain – do I have a pinched nerve? A herniated disc? Other factors?
   
   
5. Will my pain become worse over time?
   
   
6. What are my treatment options?
   
   
7. How can I tell when to rest and when to be active?
   
   
8. Are there ways I can improve posture and ergonomics to ease my condition?
   
   
9. Will exercise make my pain go away? Do you recommend any particular exercises for me? Are there any activities I should avoid?
   
   
10. What over-the-counter medications can help me? If these don’t work, what prescription drugs might be tried?
    
    
11. Do you recommend methods such as heat therapy, water therapy or cold therapy? If so, what is the best way for me to carry these out at home? Or should I have them as part of physical therapy?
    
    
12. If nonsurgical treatments fail, is surgery an option for me?